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APPARATUS FOR THE MANUP TU RE 0F GAS. A No.3'82,371. Patented May 8,1888.

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A. G. MEEZE APPARATUS FOR THBMANUFAGIURB 0F GAS. No. 882,371. PatentedMay 8, 1888.

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APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS. Nb. 382,371. Patented MayB, 188B.

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APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFAGTURE 0F GAS.

Patented May 8,1888,

, fore employed for the purpose of carrying the UNITE STATES HATENTGrinch.

ARTHUR G. MEEZE, OF REDHILL, COUNTY OF SURREY, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 382,371, dated May 8,1888.

Application filed August 23, 1887. Serial No. 247.636, (No model.)Patented in England September 20, 1887, No, 12,340.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR GEORGE MEEZE, of Redhill, in the county ofSurrey, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for the Manufacture of Gas, (for which Letters Patentweregranted me in Great Britain, September 20, 1887, No. 12,340,) of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to improve the construction andarrangement of apparatus for the manufacture of fixed illuminating gas,and relates particularly to improvements in apparatus in whichshale-oil, petroleum, and fluid hydrocarbons of a kindred nature are,together with highly-heated water vapor or superheated steam, injectedinto suitable retorts and dissociated at high temperatures.

By the simultaneous thermolysis of superheated steam and certain fluidhydrocarbons it is possible to make a fixed illuminating-gas of highcandle-power. The apparatus heretoprocess into effect consists,primarily, of a steam and oil injecting, aspirating, or spraying deviceand a clecomposingretort. To increase the thermolysing efficiency of theretort, it has been filled by some inventors with broken brick, orfitted by others with baffles or cones with serrated flanges, andsimilar crude and more or less unsystematic deflecting devices.Gas-making plant of this comparatively simple type has, however, provedup to the present time inefficient, in consequence of the difficultiesexperienced, first, in obtaining from reasonably-hot retorts areallyfixed gas; second, in regulating and controlling thelight-givingqualities of the product; third, in keeping the retorts and fittingsfree from obstructive deposit, and, fourth, in maintaining a regularaction of the injector and conse quently a continuous production ofgas.

My present invention relates generally to improvements whereby it isintended to obviate these difficulties, and particularly to improvementswhereby existing coalgas plant may, for the purposes of this invention,be

utilized with case and economy and new plant.

erected with the least possible departure from the standards ofconstruction universally accepted and adopted by coal-gas engineers inthe erection of works for the manufacture of gas by the destructivedistillation of coal. To these ends I take an ordinary coal-gas retort,

preferably one made offire-elay set in abench in any known and efficientway, with the usual mouth-piece,stand-pipe,hydraulic main,

and appurtenances as in apparatus for the destructive distillation ofgas coal.

Instead, however, of charging the retort with coal, I fit it up inconnection with an arrangement of apparatus consisting of first, asteam-boiler; second,a steam-superheater; third, an oil-tank; fourth, asteam and oil injector or spraying device; fifth, a small internalretort or ingression-pipe; sixth, a complement of deflectors; and,seventh, a suitable exhauster and motor.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are respectively alongitudinal section and a front elevation of a bench of three ordinaryendstopped gas-retorts fitted up in accordance with my presentinvention. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a through ordouble-mouthed retort,show'ing how Iadapt myinvention to retorts of thisconstruction. Fig. 4 is a detail section of the injector. Figs. 5 and 6are respectively a sectional elevation and a plan, partly in section, ofone convenient form of impact device or deflector,

with central perforation for passage of ingression pipe. Figs. 7 to 10are illustrations, on a small scale, of variously-modified forms ofdeflector. Fig. 11 is a general plan of an arrangement of gasmakingapparatus according to my system. Fig. 11* is a small sectionalelevation of a gas-governor used for controlling the engine andexhauster.

S is a steam-supply pipe by which steam is brought from a suitableboiler, (not shown in the drawings,) and s s s are branch pipes fittedwith the usual valves, taps, and connections for conducting andregulating the sup ply of steam to the superheating-coil c and thence bythe pipe 8 to the injector j. The boiler may either be entirely separatefrom the retort-setting or mounted so as to utilize the waste heattherefrom, and by preference should be capable of supplying steam atsixty to seventy pounds pressu re,though very much of the retortmouth-piece M, as shown in the drawings, so that it may be inserted intothe retort or removed therefrom with facility when required. In somecases, however, I insert the superheater into a separate fire'clay tubeor retort arranged in the same bench as the gas retorts, and sometimesIuse a worn-out or disused gas-retort for the purpose of inclosingthesuperheater. WVhenIemployaseparate superheater, the dry steam isconveyed to the injector by pipes that replace the branches 8 s s. Theoil tank or reservoir (not shown in the drawings) may be mounted in anyconven ient position, and the shale-oil, crude petroleum, or other fluidhydrocarbon brought vice-such as one made on the aspirator prin--ciple-so constructed that the current or jet of high-pressuresuperheated steam, in expanding as it passes from the injector-nozzle tothe ingression-pipe, creates a partial vacuum and inducesthe flow of afine stream of fluid hydrocarbon, and projects it forward in the form ofa spray or intensely-heated vapor; but by preference I use an injector,constructed as shown in sectional elevation in Fig.4, where j is thebody of the injector, to which the oil is supplied by the pipe 0 andunion a, and n is the steam nozzle-piece, joined by the union a to thesteam-pipe s.

m is the muzzle or mouth-piece, which is internally biconical in shapeand made easy of removal and adjustable by the screw 70, so that it maybe readily placed in the most efiicient position when changes are madein the oils or the steam-pressure.

Theingression-pipe or internal retort shown at I, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, isa thin tube, of wrought-iron or other suitable material, of, bypreference, about one-fourth to one-sixth the diameter of the outer orsurrounding retort, It, and long enough, when the latter is sealed atthe rear, as shown in the sectional view,

.Fig. 1, to reach nearly to its closed end..

wise fixed in its position on the mouth-piece.

The injector is also arranged in connection with the ingression-pipe,and for that purpose is preferably constructed with a wide flange andbolted through the lid 1* to the flange-f of the ingression-pipe by nutsand bolts. By this device I am able easily to remove the lid, togetherwith the attached superheating-coils, when necessary, without disturbingthe ingression-pipe and deflectors,

and I also insure that when the spray of superheatedsteam andhydrocarbon fluid is injected the mixed vapors shall travel along theingression-pipe to its rear end before escaping to the surroundingretort R, and then return by way of the space between the retortR andthe ingression-pipe I before finally leaving by the ascension or standpipe A to the hydraulic main H.

In mounting the ingression-pipe I prefer to make it occupy as nearly aspossible a central posit-ion in the retort, that it may be uniformlyheated by radiation from the surrounding hot surface. In this manner Iconvert the ingression-pipe into a sort of mixing and vaporizingchamber, which I fill with deflectors a d a d a d, the elements of whichare the annuluses a a a and the disks d d (1, held in effectivepositions by suitable lugs, Z Z Z, and I convert the outer retort,preferably made of fire-clay, that it may stand the necessary hightemperature, into a fixing-chamber, which I likewise fill withdeflectors a d a cl a (Z. These deflectors, whichmay vary considerablyin the details oftheir constructiomare of the first importance, as inorder to carry the thermolytic process into effect continuously,efficiently, and with sufficient rapidity for economic results, it isnecessary to provide reliable and systematic means for raising everyparticle of the mixed hydrocarbon fluid and superheated steam to asuitably high temperature, and to otherwise facilitate their uniformgaseous thermolysisandchemicaldecomposition. This can be mostefficiently done by utilizing the principle of direct and repeatedimpact in apparatus consisting of a large number of auxiliary surfacessystematically disposed and arranged, so as to repeatedly break up thepassing current of fluid and at the same time suffer continuous molerand molecular bombard ment by the particles of the vapors present.

The deflecting devices \vherewith the ingression-pipe I is fitted arepreferably made of cast-iron. The deflectors a d a d a d of the outerretort are constructed with a supplementary perforation, 1), in thecentral disk for the passage of the ingression-pipe, asshown more fullyin Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 1.0. These deflectors a d a d a d (whichserve for supporting the ingression-pipe in position, as shown in Figs.1 and 3) I prefer to make of fireclay or other suitable refractorymaterial. I have found that fluids, and particularly gases, are noteffectually heated for dissociating purposes by the radiation fromcontiguous hot surfaces, however close these are hugged by the passingcurrent, and that nothing is effective but direct impact, molerormolecular.'

This result I obtain in perfection by my deflecting device with itslarge number of auxiliary surfaces, and by the arrangement andconstruction of apparatus, as above described, I am enabled to make aperfectly fixed gas from fluid hydrocarbons and to achieve greatereconomy than heretofore.

By the combination of the above-mentioned devices with otherimprovements which I am now about to describe I can make a gas of moremanageable and merchantable density, obtain a larger volume, a greateraggregate candle-power, and assimilate more steam per gallon of oil thanhas hitherto been possible. I have discovered, after considerable andcostly experimenting, that I can dissociate mixed hydrocarbon and watervapors into a permanent fixed gas with the above-mentioned economicresults, if I by means of a suitable motor and exhauster maintain thepressure in the retorts somewhat below that of the atmosphere.

I am aware that the use of an exhauster for removing the gases fromordinary gas-retorts is not a new device, and therefore, in order tomake quite clear what I regard as novel in my present use ofanexhauster,I will describe fully ties heretofore experienced.

The purpose for which exhausters have hitherto been used has been toremove the gas already made, thus relieving the retorts of unduepressure and preventing the gases from being i n prolonged contact withtheirheated'sides, which are apt to induce unprofitable decomposition.Consequently the object has been principally to keep a level (or nearlylevel) gage on the retorts. According, however, to this partof myinvention, I work and produce gas under a partial vacuum, which variessomewhat with the oils used, and is often of considerable amount. Bythis means I am able to accomplish, in a degree never before attained,the fixing of so-called oil-gas. At the same time I also overcome otherdifficulties incidental to the process of making gas from steam andfluid hydrocarbons, such as the removal of back-pressure, which, by aserious retarding action on the rate of dissociation, has hithertointerfered with the economical production of gas from fluidhydrocarbons. Moreover, by thus reducing the pressure I can fix the gasat a lower and less destructivetemperature than heretofore, and thuseffect a great saving in wear and tear of plant, as well as economicallyuse iron retorts where fire-clay retorts would otherwise only beeligible.

In retorts fitted with deflectors or impact devices, which are apractical necessity to inwith the continuous production of gas, but

also acts indirectly by disturbing the regular action of the injector.

In the part of my invention here employed I cause the exhauster toassist the injector, and may even use the exhauster alone as an oil oran oil and water vapor feed. By admitting air at some convenient pointbetween the exhauster and the hydraulic main, or into or near the lastretort, I can, by a suitable valve, regulate the supply, and thus bringthe gas down to any standard candle-power desired. Sometimes I admithydrogen, watergas, or a little air simultaneously with the oil andsteam. Thus, I use the exhauster to draw air, hydrogen, or water-gas atvarious points for diluting and chemically influencing the gas inprocess of manufacture.

Fig. 11 shows, in general plan, part of a gas- Works constructed on mysystem.

E is an exhauster driven by the small steamengine 0, from which themotion is communicated by means of an overhead counter'shaft. (Not shownin the drawings.)

G is the tank of a small governor showuin plan view,Fig. 11, andseparately in vertical section at Fig. 11*, consisting of a gas-pressureholder, h, balanced by a counterpoise, w, and communicating, by means ofa pipe, P, with the hydraulic main and retorts, so that it varies inposition with the vacuum in them and in thus varying actuates the rod 1"and the steam or throttle valve 11, so as to regulate and control thespeed of the engine and maintain a constant pressure or vacuum in theretorts under varying conditions in the feed of steam and oil.

With reference to the other parts of Fig. 11, B is the plan of theretort-setting with some of the parts removed, consisting of two benchesof three each.

0 is the principal gasmain, leading by the main 0 to the condenser K,and thence to the exhauster E by the main 0' From the eX- hauster thegas is taken by the main 0 to the drying-box D, 'and thence by O to themeter M*, and from the meter by the main 0 to the holder. Between 0 andO is inserted. a bypass, y, with check-valve, allowing the gas to shuntfrom O to 0 when the exhauster is not operating.

tis an air inlet or induction pipe, supplied with a regulating-tap foradmitting air, hydrogen, or water'gas intothe main 0. The inlet-pipe,particularly when conveying hydro- Don fluid is then admitted by thepipeo to the retort, where the production of fixed gas at once begins.

constant.

The exact proportions of oil and steam are readilydetermined by theoperator, and will be found to vary considerably with the character ofthe hydrocarbon oils used.

5 Instartingtheapparatus,Iprefertofirstturn on the steam gently and,before admitting the hydrocarbon fluid, to start the engine andexhauster. The amount of exhaust giving the best results has to bedetermined by a few IO practical trials, as it varies with thetemperature of the retorts and the character of oil and proportions ofsteam used. The steamvalve 1; must be set in some suitable relativeposition to the rod 1" for the vacuum required, I 5 so that an increaseof pressure in the retorts ergo, in the governor-will open thesteamvalve and make the engine go faster, and thus adjust the exhausterto the work in hand and keep the requisite low pressure in the retortsWhen the pressure in the retorts falls, the action of the governor willof course be reversed.

I claim- 1. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas fromfluidhydrocarbons,the combination,with

a double-mouthed retort, of two ingressionpipes, one extending from eachend of the retort into its central portion for discharging opposingstreams of fluid against each other and causing uniform mixture thereof.

2. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from fluid hydrocarbons, thecombination, with a retort and its inwardly-extending ingressionpipe, ofa complement of deflecting and impact devices provided with alternatingannuluses and disks arranged in the retort, whereby gaseous fluidsdischarged within the retort are deflected against numerous heatedsurfaces for better combining and fixing them.

3. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from fluid hydrocarbons,thecombinatiomwith a retort and an ingression-pipe extending into it,of asteam-superheater coiled about and connecting with the ingression-pipe,for the purposes set forth.

4. In apparatus for manufacturing gas from fluid hydrocarbons, thecombination, with a retort, of an apparatus consisting of aningression-pipe extending into such retort, a steamsuperheater, aninjector connecting with the superheater and the ingression-pipe, anddeflecting and impact devices disposed around the ingression-pipe,substantially as herein described.

5. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from fluid hydrocarbons, thecombination, with a retort and its inwardly-extending ingression-pipe,of deflecting and impact devices consisting of a large number ofauxiliary surfaces systematically disposed and arranged,

whereby the passing current of fluid is repeatedly broken up and at thesame time made to suffer continuous moler and molecular bombardment bythe particles of the vapors, said deflectors being provided withopenings for the passage of the ingression pipe, substantially asdescribed herein.

6. In combination with a retort, an ingression-pipe extending into suchretort and provided internally with deflecting and impact devicesconsisting of annuluses a and disks d, and a fluid-supply pipeconnecting with such pipe, as and for the purposes herein described.

7. In combination with a retort, an ingression-pipe fitted internallywith deflecting and impact devices consisting of annuluses a and disksd, and an injector, j, connecting with its inlet end, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes herein set forth.

8. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from fluid hydrocarbons, aretort fitted internally with deflecting and impact devices, incombination with an inwardly-extending ingression-pipe, also fittedinternally with defleeting and impact devices, and a fluid-supply pipeconnecting with the ingression pipe, whereby the gas-making fluids arefirst heated and intimately mixed and then discharged into the retortand against its heated deflectingsurfaces for conversion into a fixedgas.

9. In combination with a retort, aconnected steam and oil injector, aconnectedinductionpipe for supplying a diluting fluid, an exhauster andmotor connecting with the gasoutlet pipe, whereby steam and oil suppliedto the retort are decomposed and a diluting agent is mixed with theresulting gas and the mixture drawn off-without injurious decomposition,as described.

10. In combination with a retort, a connected steam and oil injector, anexhauster connecting with the outlet-pipe of such retort, a motor foroperating the exhauster, and a governor for regulating and controllingthe' action of the exhauster and motor, whereby gas of a uniform qualitymay be made and withdrawn from the retort in regulated quantitiesindependent of the rate of feed of the gas making fluids, and ofvariations in the temperature of the retort.

11. In apparatus for the manufacture of gas from fluid hydrocarbons, theretort It, fitted with deflecting and impact devices a d a d, incombination with a connected exhauster, E, and motor, substantially asherein described, whereby the gas is subjected to extended heating-surfaces and betterflxed at reduced press are and temperature, andobstructive deposits thereby prevented.

12. In apparatus for manufacturing gas, a

' retort, R, fitted with deflecting and impact devices a d, incombination with an exhauster, E, and motor, and agovernor, G,substantially as herein dcscribed,-whereby gas-making fluids are drawninto the retort in automatically regulated quantities, the resulting gasis subjected to extended heatingsurfaces and better fixed at reducedpressure'and temperature, and is drawn off from the retort withoutinjurious decomposition.

13. In apparatus for making gas from steam and fluid hydrocarbons, thecombination,with a retort and its inwardly-extending ingression-pipe, ofa complement of deflectors placed in the retort about theingression-pipe, a I and gases generated subjected to extended steam andoil supply-pipe connecting with the ingression-pipe, a pipe forsupplying a dilut ing fluid connecting with the retort, a con- 5 neotedexhauster, a motor for operating the exhauster, and a. governor forregulating and controlling the action of the motor and exhauster,whereby the gasmaking fluids are drawn into the retort and itseduction-pipein r0 automatically-regulated quantities, the vaporsheating-surfaces and better fixed at reduced pressure and temperature,and the fixed gas drawn off from the retort without injuriousdecomposition.

ARTHUR G. MEEZE. Witnesses:

H. K. WHITE, G. H. G. MATHIESON,

6 Breams Buildings, London, E. G.

